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Take part in the Science Co-operative Education program

If you're a Microbiology and Immunology student, you have the option of taking part in the Co-operative Education program. This program offers you a practical combination of academic studies and career-related experience. You alternate three to four work terms with academic study terms and graduate with a Bachelor of Science, Co-op.

Key benefits

Our employment rate averages 97%, a near-perfect placement rate.

You can acquire career-related experience and learn new skills on the job.

Work terms let you apply skills learned in your studies to real situations.

You gain recognized work experience and develop professional abilities.

Co-ops give you a chance to test and explore careers in your field of study.

Program details

Work terms take place in the fall (September to December), spring (January to April) or summer (May to August).

If you are interested in completing the co-op option, you can apply to the program after your first year of university study.

Work terms last from 13 to17 weeks.

The Science Co-op office team helps you find the perfect work placement. Many positions are listed on MyJobs,an online job listing. The office also works closely with the industry to encourage work placements; helps you with resume writing; and co-ordinates employer job requests.

You are also encouraged to start your own independent job search.

A great benefit of the Co-op program is that placements are paid work terms, allowing you to gain valuable work experience while earning money to help fund your studies.

Professional development seminar

Once you enter the Science Co-op program, you enroll in SCIE 2800: Science Co-operative Education Seminar Series. The course is a series of professional development seminars designed to help you get the career you want. Seminar topics include cover letter writing, resume preparation, interview skills, and job search techniques. SCIE 2800 is a required, non-credit course for co-op students and is only offered in the fall term.

Co-op opportunities through the Microbiology and Immunology Department

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers a Science Co-op experience to qualified students enrolled in the Honours, Combined Honours, or Major degree program. Because national regulations currently require that at least one academic term be replaced by a work term, the Co-op program takes an extra semester to complete. Work placements, beginning in the summer following completion of either your second or third year of studies, are in university or government research laboratories, diagnostic laboratories, or in industry.

These research environments provide an excellent opportunity for Microbiology and Immunology students to learn cutting edge technologies and to interact with working professionals. Through the skills and experience you gain in the co-op program, you'll better prepared for post-graduation employment in fields that are relevant to your educational training.

Applying knowledge in the lab

During her studies, Angela Daurie did two of her co-op work terms in Dr. John Rohde's lab, where she's also working on her honours thesis project. She learned a number of skills—and found a few research ideas to pursue in grad school. Read more about Angela's experience in the co-op program.

"I'm glad I chose co-op. I discovered I enjoy research enough that I want to go to grad school."